KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the first time since 2009, Campbellsville University baseball has an NAIA All-American.
Jake Pannunzio, the Tigers' closer this past season, picked up second-team honors, officials announced on Tuesday.
The first and second teams are also recognized as ABCA/Rawlings All-Americans by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings Sporting Goods. The ABCA began recognizing All-Americans in 1949 and named the first ABCA NAIA All-America team in 1969.
Pannunzio, a senior from Sunrise Beach, Australia, finished the 2016 season with a 1.74 ERA and 8-2 overall record. He tossed 57 innings, allowing only 33 hits and 11 earned runs – five of those coming in his final appearance at the NCCAA World Series.
Pannunzio also struck out 65 batters and earned 15 saves – a new single-season record which was previously set by Donnie Johnson (11) in 2005. He is the sixth NAIA All-American in program history.
National Player of the Year Manny DeLeon of Tabor University headlines the group of 34 individuals named to the first and second team. An additional 34 student-athletes received honorable mention recognition.
DeLeon, who was named the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Player of the Year early this spring, ended the year leading the NAIA in total bases (208), RBI (108) and slugging percentage (.897). The senior from San Cristobal, D.R., played a key role in the Bluejays' (45-18) sixth-straight 40-win season and at least a share of a fifth-straight KCAC regular-season title. Tabor reached the title game of the Hutchinson Opening Round Bracket, but was eliminated by Science & Arts (Okla.).
Georgia Gwinnett led all institutions with three All-Americans – Josh Merrigan (First Team outfielder), Davis Adkins (First Team relief pitcher) and Zac Rinehart (Second Team first baseman).
Scott Morton of Briar Cliff (Iowa), Yariel Gonzalez of Science & Arts (Okla.) and Keivan Berges of Keiser (Fla.) are repeat selections. Gonzales and Berges were both on the First Team in 2015, while Morton was a Second Teamer. All three individuals are on the First Team this year.
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